HUNTIN' TIME! The Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt will run Jan. 1-31 with 16 prizes up for grabs.

The whole family is invited to put on their thinking caps and whip out their magnifying glasses for the 2024 Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt! The free-to-participate adventure put on by the Eau Claire Recreation Division and Culver’s will take place throughout Carson Park with a total of 16 clues to uncover.

The scavenger hunt requires participants to crack the code for a number-to-letter cipher (26 = A, 6 = B, 25 = C, etc.) to discover a hidden message that will lead to the next clue.

Cipher code for the Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt.

The Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt will run Jan. 1-Jan. 31. Participants are asked to register their family/group for free online and submit a photo after solving each clue as proof. Each solved clue will count as one ticket, which will be entered into drawings for various prizes. If you are unable to submit photos online, you can stop by the department’s office with your correct answer.

“Due to the mild weather thus far, we are unable to build our community ice rinks and without snow, people don’t have sledding opportunities. So, the City of Eau Claire Recreation Division wanted to provide another outdoor community scavenger hunt that would be available to people of all ages and abilities,” City Recreation Program Supervisor Julie Booth said.

The first clue of the adventure is available on the City’s Clearwater Winter Events webpage.

With 16 clues comes 16 prizes which will be randomly drawn from those who have completed the hunt and sent photos for each clue found. A variety of prizes will be awarded, some donated by Culver’s, the Recreation Division, and more. “Scoopie may also be found out on the trail at some point during the hunt to give out additional treats,” Booth added.

At the end of the month-long quest, winners of each of the 16 prizes will be drawn and announced on the E.C. Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department’s Facebook page.